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LYVE-1 is 'on stage' now: an emerging player in dendritic cell docking to lymphatic endothelial cells

Cellular & Molecular Immunology volume 15, pages 663–665 (2018)Cite this article

The lymphatic system consists of a network of lymph capillaries and vessels deputed to drain the interstitial fluid (containing floating macromolecules, such as nutrients, cellular debris and tissue-infiltrating pathogens) and to transport tissue-patrolling lymphocytes and dendritic cells (DCs) to draining lymph nodes (drLNs).1 Knowledge of the mechanisms associated with cellular transmigration into the lymphatic system could offer the opportunity to manipulate the immune response in a wide range of diseases, such as autoimmune diseases and cancer.2,3 In this research highlight, we discuss a recent study that sheds light on our understanding of the molecules involved in DCs docking to lymphatic endothelial cells, a critical step prior to their subsequent endothelial transmigration into lymphatic vessels. DC docking occurs through the interaction between hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid, HA) molecules on the plasma membrane and lymphatic-vessel endothelial protein (LYVE-1).4

Peripheral lymphatic capillaries are blind-ended structures composed of a wall of overlapping endothelial cells surrounded by minimal basal membrane; cells are connected by button-like junctions and loose flap-like openings.1 Tight junction and adherence junction proteins, such as VE-cadherin, ZO-1, ESAM, claudin 5 and occludin, are present in button-like junctions, whereas CD31 and lymphatic hyaluronan receptor LYVE-1 are observed in the flap-like openings.1 Transmigration of immune cells across endothelial cells of lymph vessels was considered a passive mechanism until the last decade when new insights into the presence of functionalized junctions through which fluids and leukocytes enter in the lymphatic vessels have been reported.1 Indeed, Baluk et al 5 reported that endothelial cells can modify the expression of adhesion proteins to allow the entry of different leucocyte types, such as DCs.

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Acknowledgements

The work is supported by the Italian Ministry of Health (WFR PE-2011-02346818).

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  1. Neurology IV—Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Neurological Institute ‘Carlo Besta’, Milan, Italy

    Elena Rinaldi & Fulvio Baggi

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  1. Elena Rinaldi
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Correspondence to Fulvio Baggi.

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Rinaldi, E., Baggi, F. LYVE-1 is 'on stage' now: an emerging player in dendritic cell docking to lymphatic endothelial cells. Cell Mol Immunol 15, 663–665 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/cmi.2017.126

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